HISTORY OF THE PIER
FAMOUS FACES
Brighton Pier has featured in many famous films, television soaps and documentaries as well as numerous high profile photo shoots. As early as 1896 Brighton Pier was shown in silent black and white films. Famous actors and actresses who have visited or worked scenes on Brighton Pier include Grace Kelly, Bette Davis and Greta Garbo. World famous films such as Quadrophenia, Cassandra’s Dream, Mona Lisa and End of the Affair have all featured the famous Brighton Pier.
One Brighton visitor said that Brighton Pier “offers an adaptable backdrop to a multitude of themes and settings such as regency heritage, retro kitsch and vintage seaside, as well as contemporary beach and ocean scenes.”
Recently Heston Blumenthal the gastronomic wizard declared Brighton Pier the "Spiritual Home" of fish and chips while he was filming a one off special documentary Heston’s Fishy Feasts. Heston enjoyed fish and chips in Brighton’s famous fish and chip restaurant, Palm Court, adding his own personal twist with a pickled onion atomiser rather than table vinegar. Heston travelled to Iceland to find a wolffish, a dangerous fish loved by the Vikings, and cook the fish as a speciality dish on Brighton Pier. He served Wolffish cheeks to the crowds from a fish and chip stall on Brighton Pier's forecourt and gets surprisingly positive feedback, “MMM meaty” you hear one of the taste testers exclaim.
Between March and May 1971, scenes for the famous Carry on film ‘Carry On at Your Convinience’ were shot on Brighton Pier with regular apperances from Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Joan Sims, Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Cope, Bernard Bresslaw and Charles Hawtrey.
Woody Allen spent a considerable amount of time emerging himself into the surroundings while he was directing Cassandra’s Dream in 2007.
In 2010 the Midsomer Murders episode "The Sword of Guillaume" was filmed on Brighton Pier with the House of Horror setting the scene for a grisly discovery. The House of Horror was also used as a scene in Peter James’ International Best Selling Murder Mystery. Peter James features images of Brighton Pier on a number of his books front covers including ‘Dead Man’s Grip’, ‘Dead Man’s Footsteps’ and ‘Not Dead Enough’ and refers to Brighton Pier throughout his stories. Peter James’ love for Brighton Pier is evident as he held his latest book launch on Brighton Pier.
Recently Vogue, French Connection and T-Mobile have all used photography and videography of Brighton Pier in their national advertising Campaigns. In the past, companies such as Lloyds TSB, Coca Cola, Sky TV, Cadbury's, Walkers Crisps and First Direct have all filmed advertisements on or featuring Brighton Pier.
Brighton Pier has been a favorite of the rich and famous since the 1820’s when William IV landed on the original Chain Pier. Other royals and dignitaries to visit Brighton Pier include Prince George, Emperopr Haile Selasse, Prince Edward and Princess Margret.
Famous singers, sports stars and TV personalities who have enjoyed days out on Brighton Pier include, Frank Bruno, Chris Eubanks, The Spice Girls, 5ive, Robbie Williams and Katie Price.
Building The Pier History Of The Pier Latest Developments
